Day 4: Chiriqui – Los Quetzales Trail or White Water Rafting
Early this morning we are transferred to Albrook domestic airport to board the 1–hour scheduled flight to David, capital of Chiriqui province. Chiriqui is known as "Panama's breadbasket" and boasts some of the most breathtaking highland scenery in Central America. From the airport in David we will travel by van 2 hours to Cerro Punta from where we will start our 4–hour hike along Los Quetzales Trail, around the foothills of Baru Volcano, the highest peak of the country at 3,475 meters above sea level. We will be hiking in the cloud forests of Baru Volcano National Park making several stops along the way to enjoy the views and to look for the elusive Resplendent Quetzal. Picnic lunch will be on the trail. We end near the town of Boquete where we are picked up and taken to our hotel in town.
For those who chose the white water rafting expedition, the outfitter's guide will pick us up from the airport in David for our approximate 1.5–hour drive to the river put–in. Our river experience will likely include Class III or IV sections of the Chiriqui River. Drive time to and from the river as well as the length and difficulty of the rafting will depend upon which section of the Rio Chiriqui is being run. A picnic lunch will be served on the riverbank. At the end of the day travel to Boquete to meet the rest of the group.
Night at HOTEL PANAMONTE (BLD)